The history of Middle-Earth (chibi version): Part 68: RSVP

I've seen different versions of what the Máhanaxar looks like, but I've always envisaged it as being very simple, like a Norse or Celtic gathering-place, or even more primeval. A grassy circle in the open air, bathed in the light of the Two Trees, surrounded by banked earthworks in concentric circles where the thrones of the Valar are set. (And the Maiar who are present stand on the outer circles.) Kind of like a natural amphitheatre, or (*waves to curiouswombat*) like an inverted and rather larger Tynwald Hill.

Námo presumably means 'doomed' in the old sense of 'fated' or 'predestined' rather than 'bound to end in disaster'. Though having said that...

Part 68: RSVP

Next time: Part 69: Return to sender

Chibis by tektek.org

Original story by and copyright to J R R Tolkien, ed. C Tolkien: Primarily based on the Silmarillion, but incorporating ideas from the 12-volume History of Middle Earth series.

I'd always pictured it as just a large circle of trees surrounding an open space. (Or failing that, maybe something like Stonehenge.) But yeah, like you said, something "primitive and primeval". Your version's a good one.